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What is ubiquitous computing?
The word “Ubiquitous” comes from the Latin word “ubique” meaning everywhere. Ubiquitous computing then loosely means everywhere computing. This form of computing is generally seen as third wave computing and the next step after personal computing. Arguably these are steps that are already being taken with certain pieces of technology. As indicated within this article, ubiquitous computing (UC) is essentially the opposite of virtual reality.
UC concerns the naturalisation of computing within all areas of our lives rather than one single object we interface with for a particular purpose. For example, in Minority Report, the protagonist is recognised and advertised to by computers in its imagined version of the future.
An obvious example to me would be Star Trek, it also sets up a nice counter-point. The holodeck within Star Trek is the opposite of what you would lable ubiquitous computing, however outside of the holodeck, the computing is wholly ubiquitous. The computer tracks every member of the crew via comm badges, its surroundings, it has emergency automatic protocols, they write on it and use it for food. You could argue that this is still not ubiquitous because it is still obviously a computer interface, but isn’t that potentially just for effect? If you had a computer that advanced with voice recognition, would you have big ridiculous flashing panels and be calling it computer all of the time?
So what examples could you have, according to Mark Weiser the third wave of computing should compliment our every day lives, the ways it could are limitless. Microwave meals that tell the microwave how long to cook for, using sensors to find out when it is fully done eliminating a microwave interface. Not just text updates from your phone but automatic song downloading, like a mobile automatic version of stumble upon, only it could react to places. You go to the mountains hiking, the phone could recognise your location and send you information regarding it. Take a photo while you are hiking and it automatically sends it back to your house, instantly displaying it on the electronic picture frames that are in proximity of a family or even particular family member.
Anything and everything can be integrated with computing technology and disappear if you think about it, from simplicity to fantastical ideas. Is it a step we should take though, or is it already inevitable?
In today’s class I was really impressed with the level work that was being brought to the table, there were students that were making full use of flash by adding sound, Live Footage and full use of special effects. I was really impressed by Luke Jones artefact, he had a really good still image of his bedroom that he used in one of his scene, I loved that you could interact with what you could see on the screen, you click the keyboard and hear the sound of typing, you could click the lava lamp and change the colour that suits you, having these little button gave the image that dept which made the image really stand out.